Federal Jury Decides On Death Sentence In Triple Murder

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NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) _ Federal prosecutors say a jury has determined a reputed drug dealer should be put to death for killing three people in a drug turf dispute in 2005 in Bridgeport.

Tom Carson, spokesman for the U.S. Attorney’s office, said Wednesday the federal jury in New Haven decided 29-year-old Azibo Aquart should receive a death sentence. Aquart was convicted in May of racketeering murder and conspiracy.

Aquart was one of three men charged in the beating deaths of 43-year-old Tina Johnson, 40-year-old James Reid and 54-year-old Basil Williams. Authorities say Aquart’s group sold drugs at an apartment complex and Johnson was selling crack cocaine there without his permission.

The three victims were tied up and beaten to death with baseball bats. Cases are pending against Aquart’s brother, Azikiwe Aquart, and Efrain Johnson.